Page 4861 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 25 October 2011

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were two information sessions. In November 2010 more information sessions were held. In April this year a roundtable was attended by 80 providers. In September this year another roundtable was attended by 70 providers. Children’s services forums are held in March, June and September and December of each year. Advisers visit services four times a year. There are director meetings three times a year, in April, August and November—one is scheduled for next month. Within the unit the sector development position goes out regularly to support the implementation.

I acknowledge the staff here today from the regulation unit who have done an outstanding job in supporting the services as we move through here, particularly those that have represented the ACT very admirably as we have moved through the drafting of the regulations. Well done; a very good job indeed.

But the purpose of the national law and national regulations is to ensure national consistency. That is something that seems to be lost on Mrs Dunne. We are implementing national law to be nationally consistent so that we can fulfil our obligations under the national partnerships. I point out to Mrs Dunne that New South Wales has passed these laws, Victoria has passed these laws, and every other state is passing these laws without making the amendments Mrs Dunne is choosing to put forward.

As to what services and support we are offering the children’s services sector, $250,000 in childcare grants went out earlier this year. This was in direct support to services to enable them to get building designs or internal fit-outs to better support them to meet their transition requirements. This week we have announced $9 million that will go to services. It will make a significant difference. The service I was at yesterday, for example, at Forrest early childhood centre will see, effectively, a doubling of their service provision. This is a good outcome for services and for the families of the ACT, and the government will not be supporting the amendment put forward by Mrs Dunne.

Question put:

That proposed new clause 21A be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the negative.

Remainder of bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

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